Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

New Zealand protest about Burmese democracy

New Zealand protest about state of democracy in Burma

Today a group of Burmese refugees now resident in Auckland, Wellington and Nelson staged a protest on the steps of the New Zealand Parliament. They expressed their grave concern about the complete lack of freedom and democracy in Burma. Some protesters used theatre to convey that Burma is little more than an open prison for most of the general population.


Many Burmese pro-democracy activists were in the House yesterday when Parliament unanimously passed a motion, calling on the military rulers of Burma to reinstate the democratic rights of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the disbanded National League for Democracy.

MPs fromthe Cross-Party Parliamentary Group on Burma also attended today's protest. Maryan Street - the group's chair - addressed the crowd, stating "The elections in Burma, planned for later this year, will be a sham if Suu Kyi is not permitted to contest them again. Her release from house arrest and the reinstatement of her democratic rights, together with the release of the estimated 2,200 other political prisoners held by the junta, are the only things which will make these elections credible in the eyes of the world.”

The New Zealand Parliamentjoins with nation states from around the world in seeking advances in democracy for the people of Burma.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.